Crocs cause 40 escalator accidents

Posted Sep 10th 2007 at 5:34PM by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)

As I've discussed, time and time again, Crocs are one of the 21st century's great fashion tragedies. They're unattractive, annoying, and simply refuse to go away. Wretch!

And today we learn that not only are they ugly, Crocs are also dangerous. The popular imitation clogs have recently been causing accidents on escalators in Japan -- so many, in fact, that the Japanese government has urged the public to be more careful when wearing the plastic monstrosities.

Apparently, the brightly-colored safety hazards have been getting caught in the moving stairs. Fortunately, most people have been escaping unscathed, but one 5-year-old girl broke her middle toe and had three of her toenails ripped off when she couldn't pull her foot out in time.

However, there is a plus side -- many of those involved reported that their Crocs were damaged in the accidents.

Source

Tags: crocs, escalators, footwear, safety, shoes

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

Lisa 9-14-2007 @ 8:24AM

I can't trust anything from China now. Our dogs being killed, stuff in our food that shouldn't be there, tires being recalled, our children's toys covered in high levels of lead. Easy way to kill all of us off without firing a shot. We need anti-china stores so that we can purchase items without fear of killing our familes and pets.

Joe 9-14-2007 @ 6:24AM

Thank you US government for the free trade agreement they made with China.... Good ole Republicans and their capitalism attitude. More more more...

Cherie 9-14-2007 @ 6:44AM

Crocs are slippery too!

Wendy 9-14-2007 @ 6:55AM

Crocs are commonly used in medical and hospital environments because of their lite weight design. Hospitals are now beginning to suspend their use after medical professionals are reporting dropped needles and sharp objects between the open slats in the shoes.

Dee 9-14-2007 @ 6:55AM

I love Crocs and think they are adorable, especially the Mary Janes. I don't wear them to work, (I'm a nurse) but they look adorable with skirts and shorts.

Katie 9-14-2007 @ 6:56AM

Crooks are great, but I do not believe their are an every day and
every event shoe. They are great for working in the yard or Aqua
Rehab. Therapy etc. They are easy to wash and bleach, and are soft
anc can be comphy. Not for every use, but have their advantages.
Just use discression when selecting them for a job.

jessimommy 9-14-2007 @ 6:57AM

Crocs are awesome, comfort beats out the ugly hands down!

MZ 9-14-2007 @ 7:12AM

For those of you who do not know, Crocs also has models that do not have the holes in them, that are made for industries such as the medical field. And there have not been any reports of needles being dropped into the shoes that have the holes.

Marcia 9-14-2007 @ 7:05AM

What's the matter with you people?
The first real comfortable pair of shoes in years and you complain about their attractiveness, or lack thereof.
Who cares how they look? And they are NOT slippery, they are slip-proof, so I don't know what the other blogger was wearing.
They are 100% sanitary because they are RUBBER, not plastic! They are made in Canada, not China and let's remember it was the DEMs, not the REPS that started the free trade crap...just like our DemPres in the 90's signing NAFTA and now we have tractor trailor drivers from Mexico who don't have to meet the Federal standards US drivers have too and let's not forget the equipment they drive!

Dannette 9-14-2007 @ 7:17AM

Doesn't it make you wonder if the escalators used in Japan are the same type and have the same safety specifications as those used in the United States? Maybe the Japanese escalators were made it China!

Sam Rogers 9-14-2007 @ 7:23AM

Actually, it was during the administration of George Bush (Sr) who drafted Nafta and was waiting for Bill Clinton to sign off on it when he became President. Wish he hadn't, but that's politics as usual. When you come right down to it, it's all a Croc !!! As for the shoe, it gives those who want an easy buck the chance to sue when they stub their toes. I can see it now...an ad on TV...if you've stubbed your toe while wearing Crocs, contact the law firm of Whee, Getz, Bucks, PLLC.

sea 9-14-2007 @ 7:28AM

I agree these shoes are butt ugly, but they are the BEST shoes to wear if you have to be on your feet for hours. I have osteoarthritis in my lower back and knees........ the "cruglies" are the only things i can wear that dont send me screaming in pain after 2 hours. I'm just sorry they arent allowed in ALL work places, I wear them all year long. The only time I found they are slippery or dangerous is fishing. If the inside gets wet your feet do slide around in them, and walking on rocks isnt advisable. Other than that i LOVE them!!

pdqblonde1 9-14-2007 @ 7:34AM

If you wear Manolo Blahniks, odds are you won't like wearing Crocs, but for the average person Crocs are a comfortable casual shoe. For people with foot problems, they offer comfort at an affordable price. They aren't pretty but they have a certain "cuteness", I think. Sounds like cheap Chinese knock-offs are not made as well as the Canadian ones?

Debbi 9-14-2007 @ 7:34AM

I finally surrendered this summer to the CROC phase - omg they are sooo comfortable. In a matter of just a few weeks both of my children and my husband started wearing them as well. We are Disney Fanatics so we all have the Disney Crocs...................anything with Mickey Mouse can't be ugly - !

Susy 9-14-2007 @ 7:44AM

What's the matter with us? Some of us just think they're ugly and would rather wear a pretty pair of high heels, or even flats, than be caught dead in a pair of some of the ugliest shoes that have been seen in years. Rubber can get germs on it the same as any other material, UNLESS its antimicrobial.....like Teva sandals.
Just because we don't like Crocs doesn't mean there is something wrong with us. We just happen to have a sense of fashion and would rather not be seen wearing such awfully ugly shoes.

carol 9-14-2007 @ 7:52AM

Make that 41. My 8 year old daughter got hurt on an escalator wearing her crocs. Her foot got stuck. One foot stayed and the other continued on its way up the moving stairs forcing her into a split. Her leg got banged up pretty good

Storm 9-14-2007 @ 7:54AM

I LOVE MY CROCS ! I have severe back problems. I try to take morning walks and I feel like I'm walking on pillows . Common sense should tell you to be careful on escalators no matter what shoes you have on .

Susan 9-14-2007 @ 7:53AM

Crocs are the ugliest shoe ever made...I think I can find a pair of comfortable shoes that look well with what I am wearing besides these crocs. No one in my family or extended family has a pair..Maybe we are missing out on something but what we dont know wont hurt us!

Dee 9-14-2007 @ 10:15AM

I work in several day cares in our city and many of the centers are banning Crocs. They are not good shoes for a child to run and play in and going by the accidents they've had... they aren't good for little ones to walk around in. I know parents like them because there are no shoelaces or Velcro buckles to deal with but laces and buckles serve a purpose.

Betty Campbell 9-14-2007 @ 8:00AM

I am a hairdresser and I can stand ALL day long without any leg or back pain. I have all colors and my ladies love to see which color I will wear each day. They are fun AND comfy!! I LOVE CROCS and don't care about looks or style, just comfort. Escalator? Well, you have to be careful no matter what. Those that got hurt probably would have had flip flops on if not Crocs!